US-MT v2.0 Sign in

US-MT (US-MT) · Module W10 · Derived Confidence: Probable

US-MT: Consumer Protection & APP Fraud

← Full US-MT Dossier (14 modules) Open US-MT in Co-Pilot ↗ Request Bespoke Deeper Dive

#

Fastest-growing consumer-protection concern is crypto/ATM-enabled fraud against elderly residents; MT has a restitution fund and is drafting crypto-ATM legislation for 2027.

Horizon · 2027-Q1 SpeculativeMontana crypto-ATM regulation expected at 2027 LegislatureProposed
Standing sub-brief · as of 5 July 2026128 words · last cycle 2026-07-05

Consumer Protection & APP Fraud

Crypto-ATM fraud has emerged as Montana's fastest-growing consumer-protection concern, with approximately $2 million in losses reported in 2025 alone. Montana is one of six US states with a legislature-authorized restitution fund for such losses, but crypto ATMs remain unregulated at both the state and federal level. State Representative Sprunger is drafting legislation for the 2027 Montana Legislature to close this gap, working alongside the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. The fraud pattern disproportionately affects elderly Montana residents and overlaps with the State Auditor's broader crypto-fraud enforcement docket (W7).

Outlook

The 2027 legislative session is the single most concrete forward marker in this cycle's Montana baseline; the shape of any resulting crypto-ATM licensing regime would be a material change to Montana's currently unregulated-kiosk posture.

no periodic updates on record for this sub-brief

Sources and findings (5 unique sources · R-3/R-4)
  1. [W10-E1] T2 Derived: Confirmed in_forcehttps://nbcmontana.com/news/local/montana-state-auditor-warns-of-uptick-in-crypto-atm-scams re-verified

    State Auditor James Brown said crypto ATM fraud equates to about $2 million in Montana in 2025 alone, and that Montana is one of six states with a legislature-authorized restitution fund to give restitution to victims when the fraudster cannot be tracked down.

  2. [W10-E2] T2 Derived: Confirmed in_forcehttps://flatheadbeacon.com/2025/10/22/crypto-atm-fraud-on-the-rise-nationally-prompting-montana-regulatory-push/ re-verified

    Crypto ATMs remain unregulated by the federal or state government in Montana; State Rep. Courtenay Sprunger is working with the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance to draft legislation regulating crypto ATMs, following a 'Scam Smart' senior-education seminar in the Flathead Valley.

  3. [W10-E3] T2 Derived: Confirmed in_forcehttps://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/montana-state-auditor-warns-of-rise-in-cryptocurrency-atm-scams re-verified

    State Auditor Brown indicated he will likely raise the issue with the 2027 Montana Legislature to seek authority to regulate crypto ATMs, as neither police nor the auditor's office currently have jurisdiction once scam proceeds move overseas via crypto kiosks.

  4. [W10-E4] T3 Derived: Probable in_forcehttps://www.agrusslawfirm.com/unfair-deceptive-or-abusive-acts-or-practices-udaap/montana/ re-verified

    The Montana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act (MCA 30-14-101 to -142) broadly prohibits unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive acts against consumers in trade or commerce, with a private right of action and a judicially-established two-year statute of limitations for certain claims.

  5. [W10-E5] T3 Derived: Probable in_forcehttps://stateline.org/2025/07/28/citing-potential-for-fraud-blue-and-red-states-pass-new-crypto-atm-laws/ re-verified

    At least 40 states introduced cryptocurrency-related legislation in the 2025 session, including crypto ATM operator regulations in states like Illinois, Vermont, Nebraska, Arizona and Rhode Island, providing the comparative backdrop against which Montana's still-unregulated crypto-ATM gap sits.